Cocoa farmers in the Ashanti Region have hailed the government for what they say is the significant increase in the producer price of the crop.

This combined with the free distribution of fertilizers, they asserted, would help to tremendously enhance their livelihood.

The farmers expressed the sentiment at a meeting held by the Regional branch of the Ghana Cocoa, Coffee and Shea-nut Farmers Association (GCCSFA) in Kumasi.

In attendance were chief and queen farmers from all the cocoa growing districts.

Nana S.Y. Akuoko, the Regional Chief Farmer, said they were satisfied with the upward price adjustment adding that this would motivate them to work hard to expand their farms to substantially raise production levels.

A bag of cocoa, beginning this main crop season, has gone up to Ghc345 from Ghc212. Added to this is an instant bonus payment of Ghc5.

He appealed to the government to go to every length to ensure that farmers are paid for cocoa sold to the licensed buying companies (LBCs) only with the Akuafo Cheque or through the e-zwich payment system.

This would provide protection for the farmers and save them from cheats and armed robbers. He demanded punitive sanctions against buying companies that decide to use cash to pay for cocoa bought from farmers.

Nana S.Y. Akuoko expressed the hope that government would continue to take bold steps and introduce interventions that would make cocoa farming attractive to the youth to sustain the cocoa industry.